Alec gathered the "Shadow Team," Nitsuke, Alec, Lucan, Nikka, Marcus, Yujuki, and a handful of veterans of Felden, in a small abandoned concert hall near the Sunset Topiary.
"Hello, everyone." Nitsuke announced. "We are here to discuss our plan to retake our homeland." Alec handed her a piece of paper. "It has been observed that the Nether forces stationed here are decreasing. We think it is to spread to the small towns and villages. It is our best time so far to strike as a rebellion and end Skorch's reign."
"We can use the Necromancer tunnels to evacuate the citizens." Lucan proposed. "It worked like a charm last time."
"Are we sure the Nether don't know about them?" Nikka asked. "Last time they were new to the city. Now that they have taken control for quite some time, they must have mapped the outskirts already, or scouted them."
"That is highly probable." Agreed Yujuki. "It is commoni to use enemy maps when troops secure a point of interest, such as a cityo or a village. However, long-term encampments always remap the surroundings, especiallyo if there are suspicions of hidden passageways."
"Even if they did, though," Alec said, "they cannot have the man power, or skelly power, I should say." He winked. "to cover half of the tunnels. I think it is a safe choice to evacuate citizens and any supplies necessary through the Necromancer tunnels."
"So I guess that part is decided." Announced Nitsuke. "We will use the tunnels. Now, what will be our strategy for attack?"
"The Wither should be our first priority." Marcus said. "I have noticed that it can control nearby skeletons below, almost like a nest of bees."
Nitsuke nodded. "How many archers can we outfit?"
"I think we can have about a dozen bows." Marcus replied. "The Nether is less strict on wooden weapons. And perhaps half a hundred arrows each. They don't bother counting them one by one so it's very easy to sneak out a few from each bundle."
"Will that be enough?"
"In these situations, it's always the more the better." Marcus replied. "But with any luck, and a few excellent sharpshooters, I wager that will just cut it."
"Alright, please take out as many bows and arrows as you can, Marcus." Nitsuke said. "Meanwhile, we should go find some archers."
"Perhaps the Legion?" Alec suggested. "Usually they are paid with gold or iron, but I would say that under these circumstances, Skorch's personal stash will suffice."
"Do we have to?" Nitsuke seemed revolted. "We have no idea whether they are against us or working with the Nether. Plus, they have always beenE… Unseemly people." Yujuki's face flushed red.
"I'll go talk to them." Alec said. "I have already asked for their help before, and I am certain they will defend their homeland, our home land."
"Alright." Nitsuke conceeded. "So after we take out…"
A chicken with a baby zombie riding burst into the room. It jumped in the middle of the gathering. The chicken clucked for everyone's attention as the zombie's eyes shone white.
"Your location has been compromised!" It growled. "Skorch knows Nitsuke is the Shadow! He is coming to get you!"
"It's Xaria!" Lucan shouted. "He's a former Necromancer we've recruited." He added to the confusing faces.
"How much time do we have?" Alec asked.
"From what I have gathered," the zombie growled, "He'll take about an hour to reach there. He's gonna have her publicly executed!"
"I sayo we go with that plani." Everyone, including the zombie with glowing white eyes, looked at Yujuki. "It is quite a commoni strategy we use in battles. A master called Sun Tzu recorded all his knowledge in a book called the Art of War. We let Nitsuke get captured. We know she'll be safe because of Skorch's plan. And at the execution,"
"We know Skorch will oversee it personally." Lucan chimed in. "And every Nether skeleton, and the Wither too. We can eliminate them all in one go." He looked around the room. "That's a great plan."
"What about me?" Nitsuke asked.
"I'll protect you." Alec said, taking Nitsuke's hand in both of his. "I have been your guardian angel since we first met, and I will be your guardian angel until we die."
"Thank you, Alec." Nitsuke kissed him on the cheek. Lucan mimicked puking to Nikka, who punched him on the arm.
Skorch burst into the room. "Ah, so here's the little kitten that's been clawing at my leadership. Nitsuke, is it?"
"You got the name right." Nitsuke looked up from a book she was reading behind her desk. "And last I checked, Skorch, you don't have a 'leadership' here. Since you are new to Ardonia, I feel it is necessary also to remind you that Chroniclers do not take sides. So how can I 'claw at your leadership' if one, no leadership exists and two, we Chroniclers do not take sides?"
Skorch laughed. He waved his skeletons forward. "In the name of the Nether King Pythus, son of King Kronus, I hereby charge you, Nitsuke, Chronicler of Northwind, with treason against the Nether kingdom and sentence you to be publicly lynched in three days' time at the city center plaza. Take her away."
Outside the window, Yujuki quietly slipped away to inform everyone of the main event three days later.